The Cost of Regular Preventative Dog Health Care in the United States

The cost of dog ownership can be steep, especially when factoring in food, toys, treats, daycare, and boarding. When a dog is young and healthy, preventative care is commonly avoided due to cost. However, prevention is the key to longevity. Here, the cost of preventative care for dogs is discussed.

Cost of Annual Veterinary Wellness Exam

Dogs should receive an annual wellness exam to detect early signs of disease. The average cost for this visit is $45 - $55, which does not include any additional tests. Many pet owners opt to include a yearly blood panel, particularly for monitoring senior dog health. This blood test averages $90 - $110. Fecal exams are also an important part of the dog health and wellness process. A fecal exam, in which the pet owner provides a pet’s fecal sample, tests for the presence of parasites. On average, this test costs $25 - $45.
 

Cost of Yearly Vaccines

Vaccinations are another necessary part of preventative dog health care, particularly when the vaccines are required by law.  After completing the full course of puppy shots, adult dogs should receive the 1 or 3-year rabies vaccine in addition to parvo, distemper, and adenovirus. Pet owners can opt for additional vaccines such as leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease, and canine flu. Vaccines are $15 - $30 per shot, but low-cost options are available as well. Low-cost vaccination clinics often charge a fraction of the price as veterinary clinics, as low as $7 per vaccine.

Cost of Parasite Prevention

Traditional parasite prevention includes heartworm, fleas, and ticks but can also include roundworm, whipworm, and hookworms. Parasite prevention is not only important for dog health, but also for the health of a family as many of these parasites can infect humans.

The cost of parasite prevention varies widely, depending on the range of parasites covered by the preventative. In general, parasite prevention costs $10 - $30 per month.

The Actijoy app includes an integrated Healthbook, which contains everything you need to remember for your dog's health. The app will even send you notifications when an event is due, such as vaccinations, regular check-ups, or when to change flea-collar. Listed here is everything a pet owner should do throughout the year to ensure optimal pet health.

Total Yearly Cost

In general, the estimated yearly cost of preventative dog health care in the United States is $220 - $700.  While this estimate may seem expensive, ultimately it breaks down to $18 - $60 per month. In comparison, a single veterinary visit for the treatment of heartworm disease can exceed $300. In addition to the high cost of treatment for preventable diseases, a dog’s lifespan can be significantly shortened when proper precautions are ignored.

One of our goals here at Actijoy is to decrease the costs connected with maintaining dogs' health. Our products might help you cut the cost to the minimum stated here in the article, by helping you reach optimal nutrition and exercise for your dog. Check out our food and water dog smart bowls and health and activity dog tracker.